Water supply device for batteries



June 14, 1932.

B. C. LEWIS WATER SUPPLY DEVICE FOR BATTERIES Filed 001,. 29. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 14, y Q w 5 1,863,203

WATER SUPPLY DEVICE FOR BATTERIES Filed 001). 29. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 14, 1932 UNITED STATES BERT C. LEWIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS WATER SUPPLY DEVICE FOR BATTERIES Application filed October 29, 1930. Serial No. 491,988.

can be supplied to the battery under pressure or other gravitation.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a device for supplying water to a battery which consists of a container for holding distilled water, or the like, to be furnished to batteries, together with a flexible conduit connected with the container with a valve control outlet at the outer end of the conduit, with means for illuminating the out let as well as the surroundings, so that the outlet can be readily positioned in the battery for discharging the required amount of 5 water therein.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a device of the above character including a novel hand supporting member, supporting the valved outlet and the illuminating member, so that the illuminating member can be used for correctly positioning the valved outlet in the. battery, and the light switch, as well as the valve actuating plunger, is located in close proximity to the handle so that the light can be readily turned on, followed immediately by the opening of the valve for discharging-the water intothe battery. A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the above character which is so constructed that it can be readily transported from place to place, or can-be positioned in a stationary location, and can be 15 used either in connection with compressed air orby gravitation.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the claims and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a water supply device for batteries, constructedin accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a similar view, illustrating a portable device of this character;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken through the container stopper, and a portion of the covering for the conductor wires and the supply tube;

Figure 4 is a side elevation. of the handle device, with parts thereof broken away and illustrated in cross section; and,

Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line 55 of Figure 4.

As stated heretofore, this device is particularly adapted for supplying distilled water to batteries, such as are used on motor vehicles, without the necessity of displacing the battery, and is so arranged as to provide means for supplying the water either under pressure, or by avitation.

In Figure 1, F have illustrated one of the embodiments of the inventiomwhich consists of a container 1 for distilled water, in the form of a receptacle having an enlarged opening therein in which is arranged a plug 2. This plug is provided with parallel spaced openings, and passing through one of the openings is a tubular member 3 which extends downwardly into the container to a point adjacent the bottom thereof, and stop collars 4 are arranged on the tube at opposite ends of the plug 2 for retaining the tube against movement relative to the plug. The outer end of the tube 3 extends into one end of a conduit 5, preferably of a flexible nature, and

this conduit has inserted in its outer end, one end of a rigid tubular member 6, having a downwardly projecting end 7 which is adapted to be inserted in the battery.

In order to support the outer end of the tubular member 5, as well as the rigid tubular members 6, I provide a substantially hollow 9 handle Sformed of two separable sections,

and these sections surround a portion of the rigid tube 6, and the conductor wires 9, which are embedded in the flexible tube 5, as clearly illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The conductors are connected up with a transformer connected to any suitable lighting circuit. Extending into the handle member 8 at one projects out over the lamp to reflect therays'thereof downwardly. or outwardly. in accordance with the position .of the device. The conductors 9 are connected up with the socket 12. as shown in Figure 4. so that a complete circuit to the lamp 15 isprovided for. Arranged within the tubular member 6 is a valve 17 controlled by means of a plunger 18 which extends up through the sleeve 11, with the upper end of the plunger projecting beyond the outer surface of the sleeve, .as shown in Figure 4. The finger piece 19 for u controlling the current to the lamp 15 also projects beyond one side of the sleeve 11 and in close proximity to the plunger 18. so that when the handle member 8 is grasped by the hand, the thumb of the o erator can be used for actuating the finger piece 19 for turning on the light and also actuate the plunger 18 for-opening the valve 17.

In the use of mv improved device, it will be noted that when it is desired to supply water to a battery, the handle member 8 is grasped by the operator with the thumb in position adjacent the finger piece 19, and the plunger 18.

Upon approaching the relativelocation of the battery, the finger piece 19 is actuated to complete a circuit to the lamp, whereby the actual location of the batterv may be ascertained and the correct positioning of the downturned end 7 of the'tube .6 can be ac complished. After the end 7 has been inserted in the battery. the plunger 18 can then be actuated for opening the valve 17 andpergitting discharge of the water into the batry. With that form of the invention shown in Figure 1, it is preferred to have the receptacleil located in a comparatively high position, so that through gravitation, the water will flow from the receptacle. down through the tubular member 5 and through the tube 6 to the discharge end 7. However, in a great many instances, it will be necessaryto prime the flow of the fluid and in this instanceya bulb 20, located'in the tube 5,is compressed w to start the fluid through the tube -5.

Attention has been directed to the fact that the plug 2 is provided with parallel spaced openings, and where gravity is used for directing the flow of fluid through the tube 5, one of these-openings can be closed by means of a. bolt 21, as shown in Figure 3. However,

the contents thereof out through the tube 5.

Attention is also directed to the fact that air under pressure from any suitable source can be supplied to the receptacle 1, through the second opening in the plug.

In Figure 2, I have illustrated a slightly modified form of the invention, wherein the device is of a portable nature, and can be readily carried about for use in 1 different places. In this form of the invention, the container 1' has connected thereto adjacent the bottom, a tube 23 having a flexible covering 24, and connected up with the outlet 7' in the same manner as illustrated in the preferred form of the invention. In this form of the invention, a battery '25 is attached to the side of the container 1', in any suitable manner, but preferably held in position by means of a band 26 and the conductors 27 are embededd in the flexible tube 24 and connected up to the lamp 15".

At the side of the container opposite the battery 25, there is provided a hand pump 28, the barrel of which is connected to the interior of the receptacle 1 by means of an opening 29. The pump 28 is provided with a piston 30 adapted to be actuated in the barrel 28 for supplying compressed air to the container for forcing the liquid contents thereof out through the tube 23, or the container can be arranged in a comparatively high position so that the liquid will run out through gravitation.

The container is provided with a handle 31, whereby said container can be readily carried from place to place, and when not in use, the tube 24 can be placed on top of the container beneath the handle.

It will be apparent from the foregoing and particularly adapted for use in supplying distilled water. to batteries, and wherein the discharge nozzle of the device can be illuminated so that the same can be quickly placed in position for filling the battery, and the operating mediums for the light and for the valve which controls the outlet, are 10- ca'ted so that they can be easily actuated by the hand Igripping the handle 8.

While have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent from the foregoing that slight changes may be made in the construction when putting the invention into practice without departing from the spirit of the same or the scope of the appended claims. 7,

I claim: 1

1. A device of the character described ineluding a discharge tube having a nozzle por- Ill tion at one end, a hand grip embracing and supporting the tube, a valve for controlling the passage of fluid through the tube, a sleeve supported at one end of the hand grip, a movable plunger mounted in the sleeve and connected with the valve, and an illuminated member carried by the sleeve, a finger switch for controlling said illuminating member, a reflecting element carried by the sleeve and arranged at one side of the illuminating member, said switch member and plunger being independently actuated by an operators hand engaged with the hand grip.

2. A battery filling device comprising a liquid receptacle, a flexible liquid conductor tube connected with the receptacle, a rigid discharge tube connected with the flexible tube and having adepending discharge nozzle, a hand grip carried by the rigid discharge tube terminating short of the discharge nozzle, an illuminating member and reflector carried by the hand grip, the reflector overlying the nozzle, a valve for the discharge nozzle and a switch for the illuminating member, said valve and switch having manipulating finger pieces located in close proximity to one another and ad acent to the nozzle as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee, in

the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin.

BERT C. LEWIS. 

